THRIVE Grants

The Waukegan Arts Council (WAC) 2024 micro grant program is designed to provide financial assistance to working artists in Waukegan for the production of their art. This program aligns with the WAC's mission to support the local arts community by directly investing in the creative endeavors of individual artists. The grant aims to empower artists by helping them overcome financial barriers to their artistic development and output. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Waukegan artists who are actively engaged in their chosen medium and can demonstrate a need for funds. The program targets artists with a "Waukegan connection," ensuring that the support directly benefits the local community. The impact goal is to foster artistic production, enhance the cultural vibrancy of Waukegan, and provide tangible support to artists, ultimately strengthening the local arts ecosystem. The WAC micro grant program prioritizes funding for specific needs, including the purchase of supplies or equipment, securing a venue for artistic expression, or attending classes and obtaining necessary resources to engage in their art form. Grants are capped at $500 per artist, with a total funding pool of $2500 for the program, indicating a focus on numerous smaller, impactful awards rather than a few large ones. Notably, the grant explicitly excludes funding for salaries or benefits, emphasizing its role in supporting direct artistic production costs. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of art projects and works produced by Waukegan artists. Measurable results would be the successful utilization of grant funds for the stated purposes, such as new equipment purchased, venues secured, or classes attended. Applicants are required to describe how the grant funds will be used and how they will benefit the Waukegan community, which serves as a mechanism for accountability and alignment with the program's objectives. While not explicitly detailed as a "strategic priority" or "theory of change" in the provided text, the WAC's approach implicitly suggests a belief that direct financial support to artists at the micro-level will lead to a more active and vibrant arts scene in Waukegan. By removing financial hurdles for supplies, venues, and education, the program aims to unleash artistic potential and enrich the cultural landscape for the entire community. The focus on local artists with a Waukegan connection underpins a strategy to build local capacity and engagement within the arts.